Last night the ministry I have been working with for almost 4 years had their annual team Christmas party. As they were announcing what the party would be doing I was debating about whether or not to participate in the white elephant game. I thought about how the Lord is working on me releasing what I have now by either selling, giving away or trashing it. This has been a process, I have always been a collector of things and I would say most Americans collect something or another. I also thought about the fact that we need to work on being present right now, have fun and enjoy the game. I also thought about how funds are super tight while trying to raise funds, get gear, pay bills and also make this Christmas extra special for the nieces and nephews since I wont be home for next Christmas. I prayed about it and I just felt in my heart that I shouldn’t play. I did on the other hand spend some money to make a dessert for the party. I also had two bags of Christmas stuffed animals in the car that I felt in my heart that I should just give away. So as they were getting ready to start the party there was more people then gifts and my first thing was I am not playing. Then my one friend put sodas on the table just so everyone that wanted to play could. Then God spoke to me and said go grab 4 large stuffed animals so that the people that want can grab those instead. So I went to the Car came back in and told my friend that these can make up for those that couldn’t bring gifts. Then another friend that decided not to play said to me I was hoping my husband would have picked up one of the bears, I told her I have more. so I went back out to the car and brought those in and she found the his and hers bears and she was so excited. Then I went ahead and gave the bags to my other friend that goes out on Saturdays and hands out food and flowers so she prayed and thought about it and after the game came to the end. She went around the room and just started blessing everyone with Bears and to watch as all their eyes lit up, made me happier then me ever playing the white elephant game could have. I also know she had some left over to take and give out today. To think of the faces to know that it is not all about money and sometimes God wants you to be blessed with a free teddy bear or stuffed plush. Where is your treasure? What is more important to you? Would you rather give or to receive?
Matthew 6:21″For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Acts 20:35″In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
Now don’t get me wrong, Receiving is not bad, but to give and to bless someone just makes me happier then if I was to receive something. In fact If you are not open to receive you block someone else’s blessing that they would get from giving. So during this Holiday Season Bless someone that you many not know, it doesn’t always have to be with something brand new but do make sure that it is something you would want. If someone gives you something that you may think they went way overboard, enjoy it and show them that you enjoy it.They got it because they thought it would bring Joy into your life. It is not the COST of the gift!!!!!!! It is the heart behind the gift that counts.
